Drill Bits – Square Taper Shank?

paperclap

Hi all,

Sadly, a relative of mine has recently passed away. I’ve been handed down these beautiful, old auger bits. A lot of them are old Marples Ridgeway bits.

They’ve got square tapered shanks, instead of the newer hexagonal shanks.

Is there an adaptor I can buy that would allow me to use these in a modern drill with a hexagonal chuck?

Thanks in advance!

Vortigern

These are intended for use with a brace and bit, not a power drill. I'm surprised you didn't find one nearby.

paperclap

Ah! It seems you’re right.

I didn’t get one with the bits, but do have one somewhere (rusty and seized!).

So no adaptor exists? I suppose if they’re not designed for a fast RPM, they wouldn’t work as hoped.

theoretica

They are designed for slow speed use - I would not feel it safe to use one with the speed and power my electric drill puts out.  But they are great with a hand brace, which are not expensive.

Though I think you have one hex shank auger in the picture - that should be designed for power tools.

paperclap

I’ll have to see if I can get my hands on one then, or see if I do indeed have one in the shed 

Yes, you’re right. There are a small handful of hex shank bits here. One of which is a nice Sandvik!

glennevis

paperclap said:

Ah! It seems you’re right.

I didn’t get one with the bits, but do have one somewhere (rusty and seized!).

So no adaptor exists? I suppose if they’re not designed for a fast RPM, they wouldn’t work as hoped.

Try chucking the brace and bit in a bucket of diesel, might free it up.

paperclap

Does that work?

I’ve a load of rusty bits in the shed, and have been meaning to soak them in white vinegar.

Have had some success with cheapo malt vinegar, but a pain to then get all the dark staining off!

ThisIsWeird

As said, low speed - high torque.

Even if you do find an adaptor, I'd only use a drill which has a gearbox to reduce the speed whilst increasing the torque - often used for screwing, for example. This is not the same as just reducing the drill speed by not squeezing the trigger - you'll likely end up with a cooked motor.

glennevis

paperclap said:

Does that work?

I’ve a load of rusty bits in the shed, and have been meaning to soak them in white vinegar.

Have had some success with cheapo malt vinegar, but a pain to then get all the dark staining off!

Well it works with (heritage) railway fittings, some of which have been sitting around in sheds for years prior to donation, so it's worth a try. However not recommended if you're worried about staining.

Eldi_Dos

Tie a bit of string round anything you are leaving to steep, makes it easier to fish out and check periodically.

greyteam1959

Cut the tapered shank off with an angle grinder ??